The 'E' Type Forum

Hi,

I have searched the forum and looked at the various books I own but cannot determine the finish on the heater box.

The JCNA guide just says black, for Series II it says Gloss black.

The various pictures of cars on line do not really help as many may have been replaced in the past.

My original heater box looks as though it may have been Gloss black many years ago, but I am unsure whether it is original or not.

A large supplier I contacted insists it should be Satin.

Once my original heater box is blasted I would really like to spray it in the correct black finish, I would be extremely grateful for any opinion on the subject - Is it Gloss black or Satin black?

Ian

Gloss black according to the J-L component colours chart: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=951

There's 'gloss' and there's standard 1960s underbonnet finish over bare metal...

There are many mirror-flat and super-shiny heater boxes far too glossy compared to factory finish (if originality rather than aesthetics is your goal).

Runny cheap black paint would never have been hi gloss and after a year or two would have looked vaguely satin dull without ever being a true satin paint. Where you choose on the gloss spectrum is your business. I've never done it but powder coat 'gloss' has a similar sheen I think, it just looks a bit too thick and well-applied compared to original.

As Pete says the glossyness of paint has varied over the years not least because of modern formulations. 80% gloss mixed with 20% matt gets it about right for Jaguar 'gloss' I think.

David/Peter,

Thank you for your feedback.

I got to see an re-manufactured heater box from a large supplier today. Yes I would say it had a sheen, more Satin/Matt than Gloss/Satin. It does not help that my Car is a Gloss black!

Having said that given the cost of blasting, spraying, new motor plus ancillaries I am now considering purchasing a re-manufactured heater box. The build looks as good as original albeit with a Satin'ish perhaps correct finish.

Ian

Have you had a look at the Factory Fit thread. There are a few photos there on page 1 which should give you a clue. This is the Quentin Wilson car we were discussing and you can see it has a repro matt finish heater box and the oh so wrong repro metal fan cage instead of cream plastic:


Here is an original unrestored car:


Gloss I think!

Thanks David.

Yes the one I have seen today from one of the big suppliers is the same as Quentins car, Satin/Matt. It makes it look worse since my car is gloss black.

The original heater box is similar to the original fit photo albeit with a metal push fit blower wheel and some additional screws on the heater box side panel. The heater box looked original to the car but this is difficult/impossible
to verify.

I prefer the original, decisions, decisions.

Ian

I use a semi gloss black powder coat.